Todd Kuiken: A prosthetic arm that "feels"

The video discusses the evolution of bionics, focusing on arm amputations and prosthetic advancements. It covers the emotional, social, and functional impacts of arm loss, and explores different types of prosthetics, including body-powered and myoelectric devices. The concept of targeted reinnervation is introduced, highlighting its potential to improve prosthetic control by using nerve signals. Patient experiences, such as those of Jesse Sullivan and Amanda Kitts, illustrate the benefits of these advancements. The video concludes with future goals for prosthetic technology, emphasizing the need for better control and sensation feedback.

What is the primary motivation for developing bionic arms?

• To enhance athletic performance

• To address the disability caused by arm amputation

• To improve communication skills

• To create more advanced robots

Which type of prosthetic device uses electrical signals from muscles?

• Body-powered prostheses

• Hydraulic prostheses

• Myoelectric prostheses

• Mechanical prostheses

What is the main challenge with controlling advanced robotic limbs?

• Limited battery life

• Lack of available materials

• Difficulty in connecting to the nervous system

• High cost of production

What is targeted reinnervation?

• A process to improve skin sensitivity

• A technique to amplify nerve signals using muscles

• A way to increase bone density

• A method to enhance muscle growth

How did targeted reinnervation improve Jesse Sullivan's prosthetic use?

• It allowed him to control the prosthetic with his thoughts

• It increased the strength of his prosthetic

• It made the prosthetic lighter

• It reduced the cost of the prosthetic

What was a surprising outcome of the targeted reinnervation procedure?

• Increased muscle mass

• Faster healing time

• Improved vision

• Restoration of sensation in the missing hand

What was Amanda Kitts able to do after her targeted reinnervation surgery?

• Run faster with her prosthetic

• Control her prosthetic with voice commands

• Lift heavier objects

• Use her elbow and hand simultaneously

What technology is used to improve prosthetic control through pattern recognition?

• Voice recognition

• Fingerprint recognition

• Facial recognition

• Speech recognition algorithms

What is a significant challenge in developing future prosthetics?

• Improving color matching

• Increasing the speed of production

• Reducing the size and weight of the prosthetic

• Finding suitable materials

What is one of the goals for future prosthetic arms?

• To make them waterproof

• To make them smaller and smarter

• To make them super strong

• To make them invisible